In 2016, the Nissan TITAN XD shook up the highly competitive full-size pickup segment in the United States and Canada with a bold design and capabilities that staked out a unique position in the segment between traditional heavy-duty and light-duty entries. Now, for the 2017 model year, the Nissan full-size pickup lineup expands with the arrival of the all-new TITAN half-ton. Powered by Nissan’s new 390-horsepower 5.6-liter Endurance® V8 engine, the TITAN half-ton will initially be offered in a roomy Crew Cab body in both 4×4 and 4×2 configurations and in five well-equipped grade levels: S, SV, PRO-4X, SL and Platinum Reserve. Single Cab and King Cab variants, along with a V6 engine, will follow at later dates.

Like the TITAN XD, the new TITAN half-ton was developed with core Nissan planning, design, engineering and manufacturing teams contributing from Tennessee, California, Michigan, Arizona and Mississippi. The TITAN half-ton is assembled in Canton, Mississippi, with its V8 engines built in Decherd, Tennessee.

Aggressive Style, Smart Utility

The new TITAN half-ton builds on the foundation of design innovation established by the original Titan full-size pickup, including bed and cab features that are now industry standard, and the rugged workhorse sensibility of the new TITAN XD.

The TITAN half-ton has the same aggressive style of the TITAN XD, but is built on a completely separate chassis and is about a foot shorter in wheelbase (139.8 inches versus XD’s 151.6 inches). At 228.1 inches in length, it is 14.7 inches shorter than the larger TITAN XD (242.8 inches). TITAN and TITAN XD share the same cabs, and both offer similar ruggedness, durability and innovative interior, bed and driving aid features.

The TITAN half-ton also includes an Active Grille Shutter, which helps reduce drag by closing the grille opening behind the radiator when a large amount of airflow is not needed (based on coolant temperature, vehicle speed and air conditioning system pressure). Available exterior features include LED headlights and taillights, signature Daytime Running Lights, puddle lamps, and step rails for cabin and bed entry/exit.

The 2017 TITAN Crew Cab half-ton’s standard 5.5-foot bed is designed to work hard and play hard, with a wide range of available functionality features. Nissan’s popular Utili-track® Bed Channel System, which made its industry-first debut on the original TITAN, features four heavy-duty aluminum alloy cleats that move and lock anywhere along the walls, as well as bed floor and header tracks that give the user endless tie-down possibilities.

The new TITAN adds available dual lockable in-bed “TITAN Box” storage boxes that sit sight-unseen at street level and can hold a wide range of essential work and recreational equipment. Unlike other pickup bed storage boxes, the TITAN XD units are accessible from inside the bed without having to remove a camper top or tonneau cover. The boxes are watertight (and drainable) and can be used as a cooler for picnics or tailgating. They are also easily removable for times when extra bed capacity is required.

Other TITAN XD bed features include the popular spray-on bedliner, flush-mounted LED bedrail lighting, cargo and tailgate lamps, 120-volt in-bed access and a damped tailgate that is light to lift and smoothly damped when lowering.

A Full-Feature, Multi-Functional Interior

The TITAN half-ton’s designers focused on enhancing utility and on making the interior easy to use through an improved layout of switched, driver control and storage spaces. The interior offers enhanced storage versus the previous generation Titan – front storage has been increased 33 percent and rear storage 28 percent – and new 2nd row underseat storage includes a locking lid for added security, along with an integrated foldout flat floor. Relocating the shift lever to the steering column (from the previous center console location) puts controls within easy reach and creates a huge center console that is large enough to hold a computer tablet with case or a 15-inch laptop without giving up rear cupholders and 2nd row climate control vents.

The standard front and rear Zero Gravity seats help maximize posture positioning for enhanced comfort during long distance driving. Heating and cooling front seats are also available, along with a choice of water-repellant fabric or durable leather-appointments. Heated front and rear seats are available in both cloth and leather trim levels.

All switches are now grouped by function type and location is based on frequency of use. Other convenient interior design features include seven assist grips, console-side map pockets, 12-volt and 120-volt power outlets (in addition to the bed), remote start* with climate control function, and Rockford Fosgate premium 12-speaker audio system. The special attention to detail even includes moving the glove compartment handle to the left hand side for easier access by the driver.

The premium grade instrument panel includes a combination of analog and digital gauges, along with a 5.0-inch color display, unique diesel monitoring and maintenance displays, and available NissanConnectSM with Navigation, Mobile Apps and Services with 7.0-inch color monitor (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately).

Special attention was also paid to reducing the intrusion of noise and vibration into the cabin. Like the TITAN XD, the TITAN half-ton utilizes laminated front side glass. Engine noise isolation and body sealing was also improved versus the previous generation TITAN design.

New Smooth, Efficient 5.6L Endurance V8

While the 2017 TITAN half-ton’s new 5.6-liter Endurance® V8 engine shares its displacement with the previous-generation V8, that is where the similarities end. The new engine features 390 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm (up 73 hp from the previous 317 hp) and 394 lb-ft of torque (up from the previous 385). The new engine utilizes Nissan’s advanced VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift) technology, which combines hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable valve lift on the intake side to provide high performance and crisp response. Throttle response is enhanced by directly controlling the intake valve, rather than using the traditional method of controlling intake with a throttle valve, and valve timing and opening with non-variable camshafts.

Helping handle the engine’s power and torque is a heavy-duty 7-speed automatic transmission tuned exclusively for TITAN.

Nissan TITAN XD 4×4 models feature a new transfer case designed to ensure maximum power distribution in every gear. It distributes torque to both ends and provides four-wheel drive when added traction is needed on snow, ice, sand, mud, muck, dirt, water, gravel – whatever the job site presents.

Braking is provided by a 4-wheel disc system with 13.78 x 1.2-inch front/13.58 x 0.8-inch rear ventilated discs front and rear with hydraulic power assist. The high brake fluid pressure generated by an electric pump assists brake pedal force for a confident feel. Responsive steering is provided by a rack-and-pinion steering system.

Towing and Hauling – Informed and In Control

Like the TITAN XD, the TITAN half-ton offers cutting-edge available towing, utility features and driving aids, including an Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, Trailer Sway Control (TSC), Tow/Haul Mode with Downhill Speed Control and a Trailer Light Check system that allows one-person hook-up operation – including checking turn signals, brake lights and running/clearance lights. It offers an available maximum towing capacity of 9,390 pounds and maximum payload capacity of 1,610 pounds when properly equipped.

Also assisting trailer hook-ups is the TITAN half-ton’s RearView Monitor with Trailer Guides. The available Around View® Monitor (AVM) provides a unique “bird’s eye” view of the surrounding area from front, rear and side cameras to help with parking and pulling in and out of tight spaces. The system also includes Moving Object Detection (MOD), which helps the driver detect moving objects such as vehicles, shopping carts or other large objects behind the vehicle when backing out via an on-screen notification and warning chime.

The new TITAN XD also includes a range of available advanced driving aids in addition to RearView Monitor and Around View® Monitor with Moving Object Detection, including Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Front and Rear Sonar System and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

2017 TITAN Crew Cab V8 Model Lineup

The 2017 Nissan TITAN half-ton is available in five well-equipped trim levels – S, SV, PRO-4X, SL and Platinum Reserve. All are offered with a choice of 4×2 or 4×4 drive configurations, except for the PRO-4X model, which is available exclusively as a 4×4.

TITAN S models are equipped with a front manual split bench seat (40/20/40), flip-down center seat with armrest, dual cupholders and storage in the seat back and bottom. A total of six cupholders, plus eight bottle holders can be found throughout the truck. Audio and entertainment is provided via a 5.0-inch color display with AM/FM, CD player, AUX, USB, MP3 and RDS along with a USB connection port for iPod® interface and other compatible devices. Streaming audio via Bluetooth®, Hands-free Text Messaging Assistant, NissanConnect with Mobile Apps and a 6-speaker audio system also come standard.

Features aimed at fleet and commercial customers include an easy-clean vinyl floor and stain-resistant cloth seats with vinyl bolsters.

Interior features include front driver and passenger Captain’s seats, driver 8-way power seat, driver power lumbar support, stain-resistant seat covering with a vinyl bolster and “PRO-4X” embroidery, leather-wrapped steering wheel with unique contrast stitching, metallic instrument panel finishers, PRO-4X-branded floor mats, contrast stitching on the center console lid, arm rest and instrument panel, dual zone auto air conditioner plus a digital display in the HVAC control, rear A/C vents, large center console box with soft-touch topped armrest, side pockets and rear cupholders – plus a configurable center console that encompasses a cell phone box, purse holder and removable cupholders with a chrome ring. The back of the console features a 110V power outlet, with a 12V power outlet located inside the console box. The PRO-4X model’s rear seats, which can be folded flat, also contain tie-down hooks and a storage box with a removable divider and lockable lid.

The premium TITAN SL trim level features an interior distinguished by leather-appointed seats, heated driver and passenger seats, passenger-side 4-way power seat, power tilt and telescopic steering, memory function for both the seat and the tilt/telescoping steering wheel and wood in-mold film instrument panel finishers.

Also standard are Around View® Monitor (AVM) with Moving Object Detection (MOD), tow mirrors with a dark chrome cap, front and rear metallic kickplate finishers with “Platinum Reserve” logos and pre-wiring for the DVD Family Entertainment System. “Platinum Reserve”-branded floor mats and TITAN box bed storage units are also available as accessories.

The SV Utility Package includes the Utili-track® system with four tie-down cleats, tailgate area illumination, a 110V outlet in the bed, LED under-rail bed lighting and a spray-on bedliner, while the SV Leather Package adds leather-appointed front and rear seats and 4-way power-assist seat.